Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Proper
1.
Belonging to one; one’s own; individual.
“His proper good” [i. e., his own possessions]. Chaucer.
“My proper son.” Shak.
Now learn the difference, at your
Betwixt true valor and an empty boast.
proper
cost,Betwixt true valor and an empty boast.
Dryden.
2.
Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular;
as, every animal has his
. proper
instincts and appetitesThose high and peculiar attributes . . . which constitute our
proper
humanity. Coleridge.
3.
Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent;
as, water is the
proper
element for fish; a proper
dress.The
proper
study of mankind is man. Pope.
In Athens all was pleasure, mirth, and play,
All
All
proper
to the spring, and sprightly May. Dryden.
4.
Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome.
[Archaic]
“Thou art a proper man.” Chaucer.
Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a
proper
child. Heb. xi. 23.
5.
Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; – opposed to
common
; as, a
proper
name; Dublin is the proper
name of a city.6.
Rightly so called; strictly considered;
as, Greece
proper
; the garden proper
.7.
(Her.)
Represented in its natural color; – said of any object used as a charge.
In proper
, individually; privately.
[Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
– Proper flower
or
Proper corolla
(Bot.)
, one of the single florets, or corollets, in an aggregate or compound flower.
– Proper fraction
(Arith.)
a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator.
– Proper nectary
(Bot.)
, a nectary separate from the petals and other parts of the flower.
–
Proper noun
(Gram.)
, a name belonging to an individual, by which it is distinguished from others of the same class; – opposed to
– common noun
; as, John, Boston, America. Proper perianth
or
Proper involucre
(Bot.)
, that which incloses only a single flower.
– Proper receptacle
(Bot.)
, a receptacle which supports only a single flower or fructification.
Prop′er
,adv.
Properly; hence, to a great degree; very;
as,
. proper
good[Colloq & Vulgar]
Webster 1828 Edition
Proper
PROP'ER
,Adj.
1.
Peculiar; naturally or essentially belonging to a person or thing; not common. That is not proper, which is common to many. Every animal has his proper instincts and inclinations, appetites and habits. Every muscle and vessel of the body has its proper office. Every art has it proper rules. Creation is the proper work of an Almighty Being.2.
Particularly suited to. Every animal lives in his proper element.3.
One's own. It may be joined with any possessive pronoun; as our proper son. Our proper conceptions.
Now learn the difference at your proper cost.
[Note. Own is often used in such phrases; 'at your own proper cost.' This is really tautological, but sanctioned by usage, and expressive of emphasis.]
4.
Noting an individual; pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; as a proper name. Dublin is the proper name of a city.5.
Fit; suitable; adapted; accommodated. A thin dress is not proper for clothing in a cold climate. Stimulants are proper remedies for debility. Gravity of manners is very proper for persons of advanced age. In Athens, all was pleasure,mirth and play
All proper to the spring and sprightly May.
6.
Correct; just; as a proper word; a proper expression.7.
Not figurative.8.
Well formed; handsome. Moses was a proper child. Heb.11.
9.
Tall; lusty; handsome with bulk. [Low and not used.] 10. In vulgar language, very; as proper good; proper sweet. [This is very improper, as well as vulgar.]
Proper receptacle, in botany, that which supports only a single flower or fructification; proper perianth or involucre, that which incloses only a single flower; proper flower or corol, one of the single florets or corollets in an aggregate or compound flower; proper nectary, separate form the petals and other parts of the flower.